Tight end Anthony McCoy is out with a sprained ankle. He didn’t even make the trip. He leads the team in yards per catch and 2nd in overall receiving yards behind Damian Williams. This is a huge loss because McCoy has been Matt Barkley’s go-to big play guy. Junior Rhett Ellison and sophomore Blake Ayles could get critical chances tonight at Autzen Stadium, but USC will miss those big seam route gains from McCoy.

Also not making the trip are wide receivers David Ausberry and Travon Patterson. Both of them are out with sprained ankles. Patterson hasn’t been much of a factor this season with just 1 catch, and Ausberry who really failed to step up while Ronald Johnson was out with a broken collarbone is not a huge loss for tonight’s game.

Backup safety Drew McCallister is out with a severe hip flexor, and there is no word on when he might return.

TB Marc Tyler is gone for the year and was scheduled for surgery this week on his broken toe.

Also gone for the year are TB Stafon Johnson, tackle Hebron Fangupo and cornerback Marshall Jones.

WHO'S IN?

WR and spectacular punt return ace Damian Williams will play on what could be a rainy Eugene night. He didn’t practice most of the week because of a sore glute muscle, but he’s going to try to go. He has 34 catches for 525 yards and 3 TD catches this year, and without McCoy, Ausberry and Patterson, the Trojans will need Williams in the passing game.

TB Joe McKnight will be good to go tonight at Oregon. He missed Wednesday’s practice with a slight hamstring strain, but took part in the full practice on Thursday.

Fullback Stanley Havili will play as he recovers from a bruised shoulder. He is 3rd on the team with 14 receptions in 2009. But, Coach Pete Carroll will give the start to DJ Shoemate, who grabbed a TD pass in the opener against San Jose St. at the Coliseum, but that was the sophomore’s only reception of the year so far.

Comments

It's good to know TB Joe McKnight will be good to go tonight at Oregon.